The Cairo Criminal Court had to postpone till June 26 the trial in the killing of protesters during the January 25 revolution, just two minutes after the hearing opened in the case against al-Adli and six of his top security aides.
Deposed Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak`s interior minister is the highest-ranking former regime official to be brought to trial so far in the killings of over 800 protesters.
The protesters were killed during the mass uprising that brought down the Mubarak regime on February 11.
The courtroom was packed with lawyers and angry relatives of the victims, who shouted "butcher" at al-Adli.
Outside the courtroom angry relatives pushed aside security barricades as they tried to force their way inside, creating a state of chaos and prompting the court judge to defer the hearing for next month.
Amid the chaos, fierce clashes broke out between families of the revolution`s `martyrs` and police and security personnel who were trying to secure the court session.
Adli and six security leaderships were charged with ordering the killing of unarmed protesters during the uprising that ousted the long time president.
Adli could face a death sentence if convicted.